Issued by: Department of Communications
2 August 2002
The Ministry of Communications wishes to clarify the prevailing misconceptions regarding the appointment of the Domain Name Agency as proposed in the Electronic Communication and Transaction Act.
It is our view that the appointment of the Domain Name Agency should be understood within the objectives of the Act, which include the provision of universal access primarily in under-serviced areas.
The Ministry believes that the governance of the country's domain name should be in the interest of all South Africans and that this can best be achieved when we have a representative structure. Such a structure would provide all South Africans with a platform to air their views on how the domain name should be utilized to enhance socio-economic development.
The fact that we are a heterogeneous society in regard to levels of economic and social advancements requires that the country's resources be utilized in a manner that enables us to promote equitable development. And this could be achieved if all citizens have a platform to express their views on how they see certain national resources advancing their needs.
The Act therefore provides that a representative board be established to oversee the activities of the Domain Name Agency, which will be managed by people with the necessary technical and other related competencies. Section 62 (3) (b) of the Bill identifies all the institutions that must be represented on the board.
It is in the interest of ensuring that the envisaged board is representative that the Act mandates the Minister of Communications to appoint a panel comprising of professionals to co-ordinate the appointment of the board members.
The panel has a responsibility to receive nominations, conduct interviews and recommend nine people to the Minister who should confirm the appointment provided the composition reflects the provisions of the Act; that is, if all stakeholders are represented.
In short, the role of the Minister is to ensure that the board is representative of all designated institutions. The Minister, for example, has nothing to do with who represent labour or the private sector or any other stakeholder as long as they form part of the board.
Informed government's wish to ensure that all South Africans participate actively on governance and in deepening our democracy the Minister of Communications indicated during the signing of the Bill that she would engage with any stakeholder on any issue as and when a need arises. However, as for now no meeting has been set as the department is working on its plans to implement the provisions of the Act.
Contact Robert Nkuna on 082 887 6874